Fruit-basket.



UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEroE.

ANDR G. VIENT, OF HOQUIAM,WASHINGTON.

FRUIT-BASKET.

Patented Nov. 26, 1907'.

Tof allwhom 'it may concern:

Beit known that I, ANDR G. VIENT, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Hoquiam, in thel county of Chehalis and State of NVashington, have invented new and useful Imrovements in Fruit-Baskets, of which the ollowingis a specification.

The invention relates to an improvement in fruit`baskets designed for furnishing a receptacle for the convenient handling of fruits, berries or the like.

The main object of the present invention is the production of a box constructed and arranged to permit convenient and ready kassembling in box form, means being provided whereby the parts are looked against accidental collapsing.

`The invention will first be described in the following specification', reference/being had particularly to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure .1 is a perspective view of my improved box in its pre erred form of construction, Fig.` 2 is a transverse central sectional viewof the same, Fig. 3 is a view in elevationshowing the box illustrated in Fig. 1 in collapsed form, Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the box as shown in Fig; 3.

Referring particularly to the drawings the improved box comprises an elongated strip vof veneer or the like bent at `equidistant 'pointsto provide sides l and ends 2, the

strip Vbeing of sufficient length to provide an extra length 31to overlie the first side and provide a reinforce therefor. ythe sidesl and contacting reinforce side 3 The strip in is formedwith openings 4, preferably elongated and so arranged that when the strip is assembled in box like form said openings register. A key 5 preferably of the same material as the box is lutilized for securing the strip in box like form by engagement with the openings 4 of the respective side l and reinforce 3.

' The ropenings 4 inboth the side l and reinforce 3 are two in number arranged in vertical alinement transverse the length lof the strip, and the key isinserted by passing the same downward throughy the upper alined openings 4 'from without the box, the lower end being projected downward through the lower openings 4 from within the box, so that the ends of the key restagainst the outer side of the reinforce beyond the openings, while the intermediate' ortion of the key rests against the inner surface of the adjacent strip 1 between the openings 4. The arrangement described provides an effective lock for securing the strip in squared or elongated box like outline.

The respective ends 2 are provided near their lower edges with parallel slits 6, providing between said slits loops 7 free from the ends for the greater portion of its length though terminally connected therewith.

In this form of the box the bottom is doubled, comprising duplicate strips S of a size to fit snugly within the vertical walls of the box and each provided at opposite ends with a depending tongue 9. In securing the bottoms in place the tongues 9 of each strip are passed in rear of one of the loops 7, resting between said loop and the inner surface of the respective end of the box. This connection causes the loop to assume a plain offset from the plane of the end and within the plane of the box walls, so that the free edge of the lower bottom strip will rest upon and be supported by the loop 7 opposite to that wall of the box by which it is connected through the juncture of its tongue and loop, while the free edge of the upper surface of the box bottom rests upon the lower section.

It will thus be seen that the box comprises an endless strip bent in outline Aform with an additional wall to reinforce one of the walls of the box, the whole being locked by the medium of a key, and a bottom comprising duplicate strips respectively secured to opposite walls of the box, in a manner to leave the opposite'ends of said bottom strips free of connection with the box walls.

This form of box is readily collapsible for storage or transportation, as the opposite ends of the bottom strips are free, and therefore said bottom strips may be turned up on their tongue ends as supports until practically in contact with the inner surface of the wall to which they are respectively attached, in which position of the parts the strip forming the side and end walls of the box may be readily collapsible by pressure at diagonal corners, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

As above described it will be noted that my improved box is readily adapted for holding fruit, berries or the like and that when the parts are assembled as described in connection with any of the forms, the structure is stable and possibility of accidental collapsing is guarded against. The locking means provided for the strip of material Vforming the walls of the box is simple and renders the manufacture of the box simple and inexpensive, a highly desirable characteristic of articles oi this nature, as they are practically invariably transferred to the customer with the contained fruit without additional cost.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new, is:-

1. A collapsible box including side and end walls, and a bottom comprising independent sections respectively co-extensive with the interior dimension of the box,.each of said sections being removably connected to one of the opposing walls of the box and being otherwise free of connection with the box, each of said sections being formed for positive interlocking engagement with the box wall opposing the Wall to which the particular section is connected7 whereby pressure against the underside of the bottom Will cause said section to fold against the respective walls to which they are connected.

2. A collapsible box including side and end walls and a bottom comprising duplicate sections co-extensive with the interior dimensions of the box, each of said sections being formed with a tongue, two of the opposing' walls of the box being each formed With integral loops to receive the respective tongues, whereby each bottom section is connected to one of two opposing walls and is otherwise free of connection with the box.

In testimony whereo,-I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ANDRE e. vIENT.

Witnesses ALEXANDER VIENT, SILAs VIENT. 

